Nursing Students in San Antonio and Phoenix Share Instructor, Classroom, Via Live, Interactive Video Communications Distance Learning Program Believed to be One of the
First Inter-State Programs in the Country

August 30, 2005 – Nursing students in San Antonio, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona attended the same class from two different states Tuesday as one of the first ever Distance Learning programs for nursing got underway. The class was taught in real time, with students and instructors in both cities connected via live, interactive video communications, allowing students to interact with one another and with the instructor.

In creating the Distance Learning program, Baptist Health System and Abrazo Health Care have taken a leadership role in addressing the critical skill shortage of nurses in both San Antonio and Phoenix. "As we looked at how to best address the nursing shortage and shortage of nursing instructors, it became clear that we could combine programs in San Antonio and Phoenix to increase enrollment and share resources," said Weymouth Spence, Dean of Baptist Health System School of Health Professions.
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Judy Schueler, Abrazo Health Care, Chief Learning Officer, said the program brings other benefits to nursing education as well. "By creating educational partnerships in the workplace, geographical, financial and work schedule barriers are removed that typically impede an adult learner from returning to school. We can create an educational pipeline for 'growing' new nurses and developing existing nursing talent in the workplace.

Students love the high-tech atmosphere. "Our school already has a great reputation, so we know we're getting a great education that will prepare us for the real world of healthcare, but adding distance learning puts us on a new level," said Melissa Russell, who started the program in January. "The classroom is beautiful, and the technology is cutting edge. It's great that the school is so forward thinking in trying to help address the nursing shortage. I'm proud to be a student here."

About Distance Learning
Distance Learning is a partnership between the Baptist Health System School of Health Professions in San Antonio, Texas and Abrazo Health Care in Phoenix. The aim for both health systems is to prepare students for a career in nursing, expand educational opportunities for
nursing students currently on waiting lists to enter nursing programs and to help address the nursing shortage by graduating more nurses. Classes are broadcast from the main campus in San Antonio to a satellite campus located at Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix. Using a control panel on the lectern, the instructor can conduct lessons using a touch screen to bring up teaching aids. The inter-state program is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the United States. It is possible in part because both health systems are owned by parent company Vanguard Health Systems in Nashville, Tennessee.

There are currently 45 students participating in the program in Phoenix and 93 students participating in San Antonio. Individuals who meet admission requirements are eligible to apply for entry into the January 2006 and August 2006 nursing programs. Application deadlines for programs in both San Antonio and Phoenix are October 1, 2005 for January classes and April 1, 2006 for August classes. With the start up of this new nursing program in Arizona, individuals who meet the admission requirements can begin their nursing career as early as January 2006. Phoenix classes will be offered at two Abrazo Health Care locations: Phoenix Baptist Hospital and West Valley Hospital. In San Antonio classes are conducted at the School of Health Professions. Candidates in both cities who qualify for admission are eligible to apply for a scholarship and can earn the opportunity to work in Baptist Health System and Abrazo Health Care facilities upon successful completion of the two-year program.